Remembering George McGovern

Images from the memorial services and career -- including a Houston visit -- of former Sen. George McGovern, the anti-war Democratic whose unsuccessful 1972 run for president nonetheless ushered in a new generation of activism and liberal politics.

By Chron.com staff

on October 26, 2012 2:03 PM

Photo: Nati Harnik/Associated Press

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Will Mead holds a tri-folded flag as he watches with family members the casket of his great grandfather, former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern, being carried into the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, S.D., for the funeral service, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012. McGovern died Sunday in his native South Dakota at age 90. less

Will Mead holds a tri-folded flag as he watches with family members the casket of his great grandfather, former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern, being carried into ... more

Photo: Nati Harnik, Associated Press

Will Mead holds a tri-folded flag as he watches with family members... Photo-3648898.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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Family members place the casket of former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern onto a hearse as it is being transported to the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, S.D., for the funeral Friday. less

Family members place the casket of former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern onto a hearse as it is being transported to the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in ... more

Photo: Nati Harnik, Associated Press

Family members place the casket of former Democratic U.S. Senator... Photo-3648901.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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An honor guard followed by family members accompany the hearse carrying former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern on Friday.

An honor guard followed by family members accompany the hearse carrying former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern on Friday.

Photo: Nati Harnik, Associated Press

An honor guard followed by family members accompany the hearse... Photo-3648902.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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Great grandson Will Mead and his father Tim Mead, front, lead family members as they walk behind the hearse carrying the casket of former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern, on the way to the funeral Friday. less

Great grandson Will Mead and his father Tim Mead, front, lead family members as they walk behind the hearse carrying the casket of former Democratic U.S. Senator and three-time presidential candidate George ... more

Photo: Nati Harnik, Associated Press

Great grandson Will Mead and his father Tim Mead, front, lead... Photo-3648904.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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The daughters of former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern Susan Rowen, left, and Ann McGovern listen along with Vice President Joe Biden, right, during a prayer service at the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., Thursday. less

The daughters of former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern Susan Rowen, left, and Ann McGovern listen along with Vice President Joe Biden, right, during a prayer ... more

Photo: M. Spencer Green, Associated Press

The daughters of former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time... Photo-3648895.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a prayer service for former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern on Thursday.

Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a prayer service for former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern on Thursday.

Photo: M. Spencer Green, Associated Press

Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a prayer service for former... Photo-3648896.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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Greg Melville, of Cheshire, Conn. wears a McGovern Shriver tie from the 1972 Presidential campaign at the prayer service.

Greg Melville, of Cheshire, Conn. wears a McGovern Shriver tie from the 1972 Presidential campaign at the prayer service.

Members of the honor guard salute at the public viewing for George McGovern at the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., Thursday.

Members of the honor guard salute at the public viewing for George McGovern at the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., Thursday.

Photo: Nati Harnik, Associated Press

Members of the honor guard salute at the public viewing for George... Photo-3648905.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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A photograph of former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern and his late wife Eleanor, sits next to Sen. McGovern's casket during a public viewing at the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., Thursday. less

A photograph of former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate George McGovern and his late wife Eleanor, sits next to Sen. McGovern's casket during a public viewing at the First United ... more

Photo: M. Spencer Green, Associated Press

A photograph of former Democratic U.S. senator and three-time... Photo-3646246.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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Sen. George S. McGovern makes his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach on July 14, 1972. At left is his running mate, Sen. Thomas F. Eagleton of Missouri.

Sen. George S. McGovern makes his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach on July 14, 1972. At left is his running mate, Sen. Thomas F. Eagleton of Missouri.

George McGovern with his running mate Tom Eagleton in 1972. When the media revealed that Democratic vice presidential nominee had undergone electroshock therapy for depression, there was a call from many top Democrats for McGovern to replace him on the ticket. McGovern, an antiwar senator from South Dakota, held firm. “I am one thousand percent for Tom Eagleton and I have no intention of dropping him from the ticket,” McGovern said. Soon, however, McGovern dropped Eagleton from the ticket. His credibility also dropped and he lost in a landslide to Richard M. Nixon. less

George McGovern with his running mate Tom Eagleton in 1972. When the media revealed that Democratic vice presidential nominee had undergone electroshock therapy for depression, there was a call from many top ... more

Then-Sen. George McGovern, center, arrives in Little Rock, Ark., in this file photo from early 1972, during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bill Clinton, left, then a McGovern campaign worker, and Joe Purcell, chairman of the state Democratic Party, meet McGovern at the airport. less

Then-Sen. George McGovern, center, arrives in Little Rock, Ark., in this file photo from early 1972, during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bill Clinton, left, then a McGovern campaign ... more

Actress Shirley MacLaine, left, joins Sen. George McGovern in political discussions May 23, 1972, while the two appeared at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore. MacLaine was among the young Hollywood stars who backed McGovern. less

Actress Shirley MacLaine, left, joins Sen. George McGovern in political discussions May 23, 1972, while the two appeared at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore. MacLaine was among the young Hollywood stars ... more

Sen. George McGovern, Democratic presidential candidate, has breakfast with his daughter Teresa, center, and his wife, Eleanor, on June 21, 1972, at his hotel Biltmore headquarters in New York following a primary victory in New York State. less

Sen. George McGovern, Democratic presidential candidate, has breakfast with his daughter Teresa, center, and his wife, Eleanor, on June 21, 1972, at his hotel Biltmore headquarters in New York following a ... more

During a visit to the Houston area, Sen. George McGovern, center, chats with Manned Space Center director Christopher Kraft, and astronaut Joe Kerwin during a briefing and viewing of a Skylab mockup on Sept. 8, 1972. less

During a visit to the Houston area, Sen. George McGovern, center, chats with Manned Space Center director Christopher Kraft, and astronaut Joe Kerwin during a briefing and viewing of a Skylab mockup on Sept. 8, ... more

Photo: Sam C. Pierson Jr., Houston Chronicle

During a visit to the Houston area, Sen. George McGovern, center,... Photo-3648949.51393 - Houston Chronicle

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George McGovern, left, receives a handshake from fellow Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), during ceremonies in the East Room of the White House on Aug. 9, 2000.

George McGovern, left, receives a handshake from fellow Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), during ceremonies in the East Room of the White House on Aug. 9, 2000.